Something interesting I’ve noticed is that Philly actually has a lot of new housing developments, but they’re often described as gray and boxy (or more pejoratively, but not necessarily inaccurately, as gentrification houses). Do you think because these new buildings aren’t classic brick and mortar (and they therefore stick out in a sea of row homes), that subtly influences us to think that they aren’t “real” quality homes?
Hi Jay! Although I don't have firsthand knowledge of these developments, aesthetics has a lot to do with the resistance to new housing. Recent research shows that people are more resistant to development on the basis of "fit" than socioeconomic considerations, though bad design can reinforce the perception of low quality. I wrote about that research here: https://www.ryanpuzycki.com/p/the-aesthetics-of-exclusion
We might consider how the evolution of the housing ecosystem and regulatory environment over the past century has created tradeoffs that disincentivize or obviate good design.
Great piece. I agree, the urban townhouse is an amazing building block for cities. Sometimes people in urbanist circles underestimate just how badly how many people want their own front door. My take is that townhouses deliver 75-90% of what people want out of living in a single-family detached house, but in a format that uses land something like 4X more efficiently.
I love what AHC is trying to do and I wish them every success. I'm just so curious to see how things turn out once their first development in Central Austin hits the ground.
Thanks, Jake, and I agree. The other aspect of this, of course, is that in the original rowhome neighborhoods, you could walk down the street to neighborhood retail. Many individual rowhomes also had commercial spaces on the ground floors. The mixing of uses perhaps makes up for the remaining 10-25% of what the form doesn't provide.
And yes, I'm rooting for their success, too—they've got projects in development, so hopefully we'll see some results soon.
Great urban history piece! The row house in another subject that I would like to read more about and my only readings are from the '80s and 90s, so these citations to recent titles are very helpful.
Something interesting I’ve noticed is that Philly actually has a lot of new housing developments, but they’re often described as gray and boxy (or more pejoratively, but not necessarily inaccurately, as gentrification houses). Do you think because these new buildings aren’t classic brick and mortar (and they therefore stick out in a sea of row homes), that subtly influences us to think that they aren’t “real” quality homes?
Hi Jay! Although I don't have firsthand knowledge of these developments, aesthetics has a lot to do with the resistance to new housing. Recent research shows that people are more resistant to development on the basis of "fit" than socioeconomic considerations, though bad design can reinforce the perception of low quality. I wrote about that research here: https://www.ryanpuzycki.com/p/the-aesthetics-of-exclusion
We might consider how the evolution of the housing ecosystem and regulatory environment over the past century has created tradeoffs that disincentivize or obviate good design.
Great piece. I agree, the urban townhouse is an amazing building block for cities. Sometimes people in urbanist circles underestimate just how badly how many people want their own front door. My take is that townhouses deliver 75-90% of what people want out of living in a single-family detached house, but in a format that uses land something like 4X more efficiently.
I love what AHC is trying to do and I wish them every success. I'm just so curious to see how things turn out once their first development in Central Austin hits the ground.
Thanks, Jake, and I agree. The other aspect of this, of course, is that in the original rowhome neighborhoods, you could walk down the street to neighborhood retail. Many individual rowhomes also had commercial spaces on the ground floors. The mixing of uses perhaps makes up for the remaining 10-25% of what the form doesn't provide.
And yes, I'm rooting for their success, too—they've got projects in development, so hopefully we'll see some results soon.
Rowhouses are a great housing solution for families. Add an elevator and they work for seniors too.
Also great for me: the Federal style aligns with my personal aesthetic. :)
I like them too. That’s partly why Boston and Philly are two of my favorite cities to visit.
They're often my favorite neighborhoods, wherever they exist.
Same. Who doesn’t love Beacon Hill?!
Other than my bank account…
Yeah, that’s where it gets painful!
Great urban history piece! The row house in another subject that I would like to read more about and my only readings are from the '80s and 90s, so these citations to recent titles are very helpful.
Thanks, Jon! It's a fascinating history, with a lot more to explore.